This is a post that’s been percolating for a few months and I think the time is right to post it. If you’re a bride and you’re on the fence about hiring a wedding planner, I’m going to give you a bunch of reasons why you should VERY SERIOUSLY consider hiring a planner for your wedding and why “I’m on a budget” is not only a bad excuse 99% of the time, but why it’s one of the best reasons why you SHOULD hire a planner.

Disclaimer: One of the reasons I’ve put it off blogging about this for long is that it I’ve had a number of weddings this year who did not hire a wedding planner and I’d never want one of my brides to think that I’m talking about them. So I’m going to be careful here and stick to my collective experiences.

So let’s cut to the chase and deal with the objections.

• I’m ultra organized and I can do it all myself
  You may be right on both accounts. And that there is the problem. Instead of being able to sit back, relax and truly enjoy the emotion and momentous events of one of the most important days of your life, you’ll be endlessly answering questions from a whole plethora of family and friends. Of course, they’re just trying to do their best to help but in the end, when the buck stops with you, the bride, YOU are their only choice to get an answer. And you’ll remember your day for every little tiny glitch. Wouldn’t it be better to look back on your day and hear the words from your planner “everything is taken care of, it’s time to get married!”
   
• My sister/aunt/mother/bff has offered to help me
  This is the flip-side of the previous objection. You want to celebrate your wedding day with those closest to you, not put them to work.
   
• The church/venue/dj will handle everything for me
  There are very, very few venues that can live up to that promise. Or more accurately, what the hotel/dj means by “handle everything” and what the planner means by “handle everything” are two entirely different things. What they really mean is that they will take of everything that pertains to the service they provide. In other words, if the table center pieces at your reception being provided by an outside florist are the wrong color or the wrong flower or just plain wrong, guess what? The venue will wash their hands of it (and they will), because that’s not their job. And you aren’t going to find out about it until you waltz in for your first dance. The planner would have been on top of it when the florals arrived two hours earlier. When the groomsmens’ tuxedos arrive with a missing pair of pants, the planner will take care of it (this actually happened about 3 months ago). When the limo goes to the wrong location (this has happened too many times to count), your planner will be on the cell phone talking directly to the driver making sure they get where they are supposed to go. When plans change at the last minute your planner will be there to let your photographer know so they don’t miss an important moment.
   
• I can’t afford to hire a planner
  This is my favorite. Why? Because it’s so simple to explain. Planners, like all wedding vendors, work with other vendors over and over again. They come to know their policies, how they work and what their preferences are. Moreover, they come to know which vendors, be they photographers or caterers, will serve their brides with spectacular service and quality products. They save you money when they steer you away from vendors who nickel and dime you with hidden charges and fees. They save you money when a venue gives you a preferred rate because they know the event will go smoothly with a planner involved. They save you money by guiding you to vendors who do it right the first time.
   
  So let me tell you a little secret… if you come to me and tell me you are working with a planner, there’s a pretty good chance that the money you save with Ben Vigil Photographers will come pretty close to entirely paying for your “day-of” coordinator.

Does that last statement shock you? It should. It should shock you into going out and hiring a wedding planner. Something goes wrong at every wedding. Without fail. Every vendor makes mistakes. They’re human. But every reputable vendor I know will breathe a sigh of relief when you tell them you are working with a professional planner. The planner is there to make sure everyone is on the same page, that everyone does their best to perform as they have promised and in the end, to take care of all the “little things” so you can enjoy your day. It’s really quite simple from my prospective as a photographer. I deal with emotional intangibles on your wedding day and this is how a planner helps me preserve those moments:

• A good planner = a smooth stress-free day.
• A smooth, stress-free day = a stress-free bride.
• A stress-free bride = a happy bride.
• A happy bride = great photos.
• Great photos = a satisfied bride.

Do you see the relationship between “a good planner” and “great photos”?

That’s not a guarantee of course, but it sure does help.